The Reporter, Vol. 1, Issue 13 by Lazaro Gamio

Basketball Players Move On To Other Schools

A Hot Look Inside The Fire Academy

Wiz Kalifah’s Album Fails To Deliver A Buzz

Political Showdown At Capitol Hill

Last season’s freshmen are leaving the College after their former head coach resigned amid controversy.

A first-hand look at North Campus’ Fire Academy Training Procedures.

New Album Rolling Papers offers a few good songs but lacks consistency.

Columnists offer opposing views on the current condition of the government.

TURN TO SPORTS, PAGE 9

TURN TO PHOTOSTORY, PAGE 10,11

TURN TO A&E, PAGE 15

TURN TO FORUM, PAGE 17

“Only the educated are truly free.” —Epictetus

4VOL. 1, ISSUE 13—April 25, 2011 VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

Staying Strong Wolfson Campus’ Social Sciences Department Chairperson Germán Muñoz perseveres through Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Staying Strong: Germán Muñoz and wife Piedad have been together for 38 years, and are tackling ALS since German's 2006 diagnosis.

TURN TO MUÑOZ, PAGE 7

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

WOLFSON CAMPUS

COLLEGE-WIDE SMOKING BAN

Wolfson Gets Tastier Miami Dade College’s new Miami Culinary Institute at Wolfson Campus is now open to students. The building is worth $22 million and took about 15 months to build. By Monica Suarez monica.suarez006@mymdc.net The apron was raised on April 14. Blanketing all eight floors of Miami Dade College’s new Miami Culinary Institute, the $22 million building was covered by a white apron that measured more than 100 feet in length. The institute, which took ap-

INDEX: PLEASE RECYCLE

BRIEFING

College Smoking Ban Now Made Official A smoking ban was officially approved by the Board of Trustees on April 19. It will prohibit smoking on any College property.

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

Honoring the College: College President Eduardo Padrón receives certificate from City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado. proximately 15 months to construct, offers students a 64 credit Associate of Science degree that costs approximately $24,000, as well as two certificate programs: a 12-credit Chef Apprentice Program which costs $10,000 and an 18-credit Culinary Arts Management Program which costs $15,000. “This place got a piece of my

NEWS

heart,” said David Maggard, 37, one of the first students to enroll in the program. “The Miami Culinary Institute is the first culinary program in America to be fully green. I joined because I really want to get in touch with all the sustainability that is going on in Miami.” TURN TO CULINARY, PAGE 4

4-5,7,10-11

SPORTS

Got News? Let Us Know. Contact Us:

mdc.thereporter@gmail.com

(305) 237-1253

8,9

By Monique Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net Miami Dade College’s Board of Trustees approved a college-wide smoking ban on April 19. “Finally, now I can quit,” said Tony Kimenyl, a 24-year-old Wolfson Campus student. “Even though I’m a smoker, I think of the secondhand smokers. I don’t mind it being banned because I think it’s going to push me to stop smoking.” The ban will prohibit smoking at all MDC facilities. Areas include A&E

13-15

but are not limited to portions of buildings owned or leased by the College, enclosed hallways, outdoor areas, parking lots, rooftops, plazas, courtyards and entrance and exit ways, according to the Tobacco and Smoke-Free College Policy I-77. Any person who works, studies or visits the College will have to leave campus to smoke. However, the consequences of not abiding by the policy is unclear. “Public safety officers and other College employees will talk to violators of the policy,” said College Provost Rolando Montoya via email. “Those who refuse to collaborate or become chronic viola-

FORUM

TURN TO SMOKING BAN, PAGE 4

17,19

THE REPORTER IS THE FREE BIWEEKLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE. ALL CONTENT IS PRODUCED BY MDC STUDENTS. THE REPORTER IS A PUBLIC FORUM FOR EXPRESSION.

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THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

// BRIEFING Monica Suarez, Briefing Editor //

T (305) 237-1254

MDC Honors Legendary Actress With Tribute In homage to her cinematic excellence and recent film, Miami Dade College is honoring French actress Catherine Deneuve with an entire month of movie screenings at the Tower Theatre, 1508 S.W. 8th St. Deneuve’s prestigious acting career spans more than four decades and more than a hundred quality French motion picture films. The screenings will run from April 8 to May 12 and will include seven of her greatest works including Belle de Jour (Daylight Beauty), and Le Dernier Metro (The Last Metro). Following the month long showings, the Tower Theatre will premier Deneuve’s latest comedic project titled Potiche, a story of a trophy wife who successfully reins over her kidnapped husband’s family business. General admission is $8 for the general public, $7 for students, seniors and members of the Miami Film Society. Five-ticket packages are also available for $30 and free parking is available in the lot behind the theater. —Marvin Pineda For more information, contact Tower Theatre T (305) 642-1264 Orlando Rojas T (305) 643-8706

B monica.suarez006@mymdc.net

North, West Campus Graduation Time Change Due to changes in President Barack Obama’s schedule, the North and West Campus commencement ceremony scheduled for April 29 at the James L. Knight International Center, 400 S.E. Second Ave., has been changed to 7 p.m. Students are required to arrive at the Riverfront North Hall by 3 p.m.

Scholarship Opportunities Available For MDC Students

WAABI Offers MDC Students Two $500 Scholarships

The Chinese Migrant Children’s Aids Foundation is offering five different scholarships to students of Miami Dade College. ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship, the $1,000 “GPA Isn’t Everything” Scholarship, the ScholarshipZone $10,000 Cash Scholarship, the $1,000 “Cutting Edge Careers” Scholarship and the Zinch $20,000 Scholarship are all free and available to students college-wide. Registration is free and easy. To apply, students must create a free profile and fill out a questionnaire stating their name, address, phone number, date of birth, email address and college information. All scholarships are available for the spring.

The World Association of Alcohol Beverage Industries is awarding two separate scholarships this upcoming spring semester to registered Miami Dade College students. For students to be eligible to receive the WAABI scholarship, they must have completed a full semester at MDC, have a 3.0 grade point average or higher, must be receiving financial aid, have an area of concentration in either hospitality or tourism and must abide by the WAABI guidelines. The WAABI scholarship will provide the winners with $500 for one semester for books and tuition. To apply, students must visit the MDC scholarship website. Applications must be submitted no later than May 6.

—Richard Pizarro

—Brittany Esquijarosa

For more information, visit:  CMCAF.ORG

For more information, visit:  MDC.EDU/SCHOLARSHIPS

BRIEFING

Project ACE Now At Wolfson And InterAmerican Campus

Wolfson Campus Offers Workshops For Writers

Miami Dade College is offering the Project ACE program for any student at InterAmerican Campus, 627 SW 27th Ave., and Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. 2nd Ave. Project ACE was founded with a Title V- grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2008. The goal was to create an accelerated track to learn English for students with strong academic backgrounds. “Students learn the language skills most essential to their success in the college classroom, for example presentation skills, writing and research,” said Michelle Thomas, Project ACE director. Students interested must have a 3.5 grade point average or above, complete the ACE application, and receive a letter of recommendation from a professor or supervisor. Students earn college credit while completing coursework in English including CLP1006 and LIS2004. Applications must be submitted to the Project ACE website. Priority deadline is May 13, regular deadline is June 10 and the final deadline is Aug. 1. “The selection process is increasingly competitive, and we currently have more students wanting to apply than spaces for them,” Thomas said.

The Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College will be hosting several workshops at Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. 2nd Ave., Room 4102 starting May 4-7. The workshops will offer students manuscript consultations and a publishing question and answer session with literary agents and authors such as Betsy Lerner and Ayesha Pande. Four days of fiction, non-fiction and poetry workshops are also available with leaders from the publishing industry. Pitch-o-Rama 2011 will be on May 7. The event gives writers the opportunity to present their book ideas to a panel of literary professionals in 60 seconds and get feedback. One three-day workshop is $225, one four-day workshop is $250, any two workshops are $400 and the publishing question and answer session is $40. To register for seminars, students must visit the Florida Center for the Literary Arts website. The deadline to register is April 28. Workshops are open to the public. Space for enrollment is first come first serve.

—Crizalida Suero

—Alexandra Dalpe For more information, contact: Lissette Mendez T (305) 237-3940 B lissette.mendez@mdc.edu  FLCENTERLITARTS.COM WOLFSON CAMPUS

For more information, contact: Michelle Thomas T (305) 237-6173  www.mdc.edu/iac/esl/ace

PHOTOBRIEFING 1

Graduation Lines: Students from North Campus stand in lines to get their graduation cap and gown for the April 29 graduation ceremony.

Building Big: Students from InterAmerican Campus unveiled the largest polyhedron sculpture on April 26. Students assembled together more then 31,000 pieces of the large sculpture. Amalia Mariacia, student at IAC appreciates the sculpture.

1 AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

NEWS

T (305) 237-1253

SGA Elections Results Roll In

B monique.madan001@mymdc.net

The results for Student Government Association positions are announced as votes were collected the week of April 11. By Melissa Adan melissa.adan001@mymdc.net

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

Counting Down: College administration and faculty count down the pulling of an "apron" that would reveal the Miami Culinary Institute.

Culinary Institute Unveiled At Wolfson Miami Dade College’s new Miami Culinary Institute at Wolfson Campus is now open for students. The building is worth $22 million and took about 15 months to build.

Miami Culinary Institute, Floor By Floor

The Miami Culinary Institute is an eight-floor building that will offer students an array of educational opportunities. Eighth Floor: Restaurant that will be open to the public late summer from Tuesday to Saturday.

FROM CULINARY, FRONT

From the food to the equipment, everything is sustainable. The kitchens of the institute, which consist of five kitchen laboratories and one baking and pastry laboratory, feature the basic equipment of any other kitchen, but have some extras that are state-of-the-art and fairly new to the industry. Combi-ovens are some of the cutting edge pieces of equipment used by students. “They have steam and convection working at the same time,” said Tom Rhyneer, executive chef at the Institute. “They are selfprogramming, self-sufficient and self-cleaning.” The high-tech ovens, which are just a fraction of the $1.8 million spent on kitchen equipment, have a complete menu to choose from and can be programmed to cook food to perfection every time. Food that is prepared by the students is critiqued in class. Whatever is left is donated to Camillus House. “Professors at the program are the top chefs in Miami,” said Eduardo J. Padrón, president of MDC. “Mr. John Richards, director of the program, is well known and has great tradition, so we are getting nothing but the best.” Class sizes will be small, no more than 16 students per session. “Our students are going to have more hands-on experience than any other program in South Florida,” Richards said. “Our goal is to put out the best-trained culinary graduate in the world.” That goal will be augmented by

THE REPORTER

SGA ELECTIONS

// NEWS Monique O. Madan, Editor-in-Chief //

April 25, 2011

Seventh Floor: Kitchen where food will be prepared for the restaurant on the eighth floor. Sixth Floor: Additional laboratories where students learn to prepare food from all across the world. Fifth Floor: Baking and pastrymaking station where pastries and other deserts will be prepared. Fourth Floor: Laboratories where students learn to prepare food from all over the world. Third Floor: A theater where professional chefs and sommeliers can come and demonstrate dishes and fine wine. Second Floor: Main classrooms and faculty offices. First Floor: A student café run by Miami Dade College students. SOURCE: CHEF JOHN RICHARDS, DIRECTOR OF MIAMI CULINARY INSTITUTE—GRAPHIC: LAZARO GAMIO

the opportunities offered at the Institute. Not only will students work and simulate scenarios in the kitchen, but an array of guest speakers including wine makers, chefs and biodynamic farmers will come to further educate the chefs of tomorrow. “Students will get a great education at a reasonable price,” Rhyneer said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. There is a lot of passion here, a love for food and some of the best chefs.”

Peeling The Layers Visit us online for exclusive interviews and a look inside the Institute’s inauguration.

Miami Dade College students elected new Student Government Association officers at all eight campuses on April 14. Voting took place from April 11 to 13; elected officers will be sworn in on May 1. They will serve during the 2011-2012 academic year. Positions such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and public relations director vary by campus. “At first I was stunned,” said Jessica Alpizar, who was elected vice president at Kendall Campus. “It’s hard to take it all in.” The newly appointed officers have had experience working alongside current SGA presidents and advisers to prepare themselves for their new positions. “We start planning during the summer with our team and adviser to find out a theme for the school year and put together ideas,” said Edwin Ramos, who was elected treasurer at InterAmerican Campus. Ruben Gomez, who was elected president at Kendall Campus, said he looks forward to the challenge. “I need to be the voice of the students,” Gomez said. “I would love to not just unify Kendall Campus but MDC as a whole.”

SGA ELECTION RESULTS Elected SGA Officers for the 2011-2012 Academic School Year ——————————————— Kendall Campus President: Ruben Gomez Vice President: Jessica Alpizar —————————————————— Wolfson Campus President: Bianca Gomez Vice President: Daniela Galofre Secretary: Rosa Villa Treasurer: Darryl Arcales —————————————————— InterAmerican Campus President: Alain Suarez Vice President: Fereda Frazer Treasurer: Edwin Ramos —————————————————— West Campus President: Mayra Medina Vice President: Maria Echeverri —————————————————— Medical Center Campus President: Emily Ibanez Vice President: Kamamori Gonzalez Secretary: Theda Sturrup —————————————————— Hialeah Campus President: Andres Barreto Vice President: Jonathan Vanegas —————————————————— Homestead Campus President: Rolanda Schand Vice President: Jenny Normil Secretary: Brittany Lee Treasurer: Brooke Ann Historian: Sofia Castro —————————————————— North Campus President: Naggine Georges Vice President: Jamie Harris Secretary: Beilin Diaz Treasurer: Michael Ward Jr. Public Relations Director: Geoffrey Evans

COLLEGE-WIDE SMOKING BAN

College Enacts Ban On Smoking FROM SMOKING BAN, FRONT

tors will be subject to the existing procedures for student and personnel discipline.” The new smoking policy is an extension of the existing one established in 1985, prohibiting smoking indoors. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that the proposal to ban smoking outdoors intensified. In an email sent by College President Eduardo J. Padrón on April 20 said the ban is a “policy to promote and foster a healthier and cleaner campus environment.” “I’m glad smoking is being outlawed. I have serious asthma problems,” said Wilnard Baker, 19-year-old Wolfson Campus student. “Asides from that, it hurts

“I’m glad smoking is being outlawed. I have serious asthma problems.” —Wilnard Baker

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

the o-zone layer, making it hotter, leading to human extinction.” Six schools in Florida have completely or partially banned smoking on campus, including Florida International University, The University of Miami, University of Florida, Edison State College, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in Orlando and Warner University in Lake Wales. “There are a lot of other things out there that are more harmful but are not banned. It's contradictory,” said Louis Ortiz, a 22-year-old North Campus student. “Anyhow, they won’t catch me.” The College President’s message provided contact information for outside programs that help smokers with quitting the habit, according to Montoya. However, it is still too soon to tell whether or not MDC will provide in-school initiatives for struggling students. “Try to quit smoking,” Montoya said. “If you cannot do it, abstain from doing it [on] College property.”

THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

NEWS

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

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Degree Completion Programs Designed for Adults Low residency (small classes, online, or hybrid) Accelerated (earn 8 credits in 8 weeks) Financial aid for those who qualify UNDERGRADUATE COURTESY OF MDC MEDIA RELATIONS

Literary Man: Kronen, a College employee since 1972, serves as the West Campus' only full-time faculty member. He is seen here during the 16th Arts & Letters Day in 2008. WEST CAMPUS

The One And Only

West Campus has only one full-time faculty member, Steven Kronen. He has worked for the College since 1972 and is now a librarian at West Campus. By Anna Carabeo anna.carabeo001@mymdc.net Librarian Steve Kronen is the only full-time faculty member at West Campus. “The reason I’m here is that West is in the process of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation,” Kronen said. “A librarian is a requirement toward accreditation and at some point other full-time positions will be placed here. In the meantime, West is under the auspices of North.” Ana DeMahy, director of administrative and student services at West Campus, said Kronen is a tremendous asset to the Campus. “Steve is an incredible individual and has brought a lot to the campus,” DeMahy said. “He is a published poet and has brought

in activities such as poetry readings and gallery events.” Kronen visits classes and teaches bibliographic instruction, teaching the students and faculty about the many resources the library offers –more than 130 databases, the catalogue, hard copy material and DVDs. He started at West Campus in 2009, but he started working at the College during the spring of 1972. “My first job with Miami Dade College was part-time in the library at Kendall Campus,” Kronen said. “I had graduated from Killian High in 1971, took a semester off, and started at Dade in January 1972 and happily found a part-time job in the library.” Kronen said he enjoys working at MDC. He moved from Orlando when a position opened. “I love it here. I love working with the students. What’s great about MDC is that when they say ‘students first’ they really mean it,” Kronen said. “MDC has a strong union which, in these times, nationally, of mean-spirit-

ed union-busting, makes me all the prouder to be a member.” According to Kronen most colleges and universities are research institutions, their “ostensible purpose” is to explore and further knowledge. This makes students their secondary priority. He believes MDC is the exception. “MDC’s foremost mission is to provide an education and opportunity for its students, thus its wonderful open-door policy,” Kronen said. “The focus [at MDC] stays on the student and subsequently fosters collegial work environment.” Kronen’s position at West Campus involves much more than just the library. “I have been able to join MDC’s Earth Ethics Institute and have been appointed to MDC’s Sustainability Committee, both of which are working hard to incorporate green and sustainable practices [here],” Kronen said. “That is a great joy to me.”

WEST CAMPUS

Adjunct Professor Died At 68 William Greer, adjunct professor at Kendall Campus, dies on April 2 due to an infection discovered while undergoing a gallbladder operation. By Anna Carabeo anna.carabeo001@mymdc.net William Greer, a writer, teacher, father, high school jock, Air Force veteran and adjunct professor at Kendall Campus, died on April 2 due to complications during a gallbladder operation. He was 68. Annette Rawlings, his partner for the last 18 years, said Greer went to the hospital for a minor gallbladder surgery, but then got an infection the doctors couldn’t control. Greer, a Coral Gables Senior High School graduate, was a star football player at the school. “Bill played right in front of me,”

said Robert Greer, his younger brother. “He was the starting fullback and a remarkable blocking back.” According to his brother Robert, William Greer was in the Air Force in 1960 during the Vietnam War. Before teaching at the Kendall Campus, Greer made his living as a writer. “He was a ‘ghost writer,’” Rawlings said. “He would write and have his work published under different names.” At Kendall Campus, William Greer taught English 1101 and English 1102. He also worked in the speech lab. “He loved being a teacher,” Rawlings said. “He found it very gratifying and loved his students.” So much so that he drove more than 60 miles from his home in Lake Worth to Kendall Campus. “He wouldn’t mind the

hour drive it took him to get to work,”Rawlings said. Greer was also an artistic man. “We collected books, art and antiques,” Rawlings said. “He also collected fine wines since his father owned a liquor store in Coconut Grove. We also belonged to the same breakfast group for more than 40 years. I was an artist, he was a writer and others from the group were musicians; we were all creatively inclined.” Greer’s son, Jonathan Drant, remembers his father as an energetic man. “We would always travel,” Drant said. “Whether it was New York, Colorado or North Carolina, he was very active.” Drant said Greer was more than just a father. “He was a wonderful friend and father to anyone who knew him,” Drant said.

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MDC is Now Smoke-Free! www.mdc.edu/smokefree

NEWS

April 25, 2011

THE REPORTER

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Muñoz Positive Despite Battling Terminal Illness Germán Muñoz, chairperson of Wolfson Campus’ Social Sciences Department, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 2006. By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net

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Five year’s ago doctors told Germán Muñoz he was supposed to be dead by now. But Muñoz, who has Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is far from it. “Most people die within three years. I’ve been alive for five [years] and three months,” Muñoz said. “I know there’s a purpose. As I get weaker my faith gets stronger.” Diagnosed in 2006, the disease has robbed Muñoz of most of his movement. The condition, a terminal illness of the nerve cells that controls voluntary muscle movement, has left Muñoz, the chairperson of the department of social sciences at Wolfson Campus, immobile. He can’t move his torso or limbs. His biggest fear is that he will lose his voice and suffocate to death. The only thing he can control are his head and neck. But his smile is forever moving. “I’m blessed I can still chew my food. I can blink and breathe. I can watch TV, see my family,” Muñoz said. “I can’t move but I can feel.” Muñoz first felt something was wrong in 2005. He started losing his breath easily. And once, when he tried to open a plastic water bottle he was unable to. When a co-worker opened it with ease, he knew something wasn’t right. “I knew what I had. I would Google my symptoms and everything pointed to [Lou Gehrig’s Disease],” Muñoz said. “However, I ignored it.” Eventually, the signs became overwhelming. His right leg became gimpy, and he lost control of his right and left arms as well as his left leg. By 2008 he could no longer walk. His wife of 38 years, Piedad Muñoz, massages his arms and legs at night to improve circulation. “My wife cries for me,” Muñoz said. “I haven’t shed a tear.” Piedad said her husband’s illness has made major changes in their lifestyle. Muñoz can no longer travel to places he enjoyed visiting like Europe, South America, Africa. “I have to know that if his nose itches, I have to scratch it,” Piedad said. “But when I said I was in love with him, there was no going back. If I were to to do it all over again, I would.” Thirty one-year-old Jose Miguel Fonseca is Muñoz’s caregiver six days a week. He logs more than 60 hours on the job. Fonseca’s responsibilities include bathing, dressing and feeding Muñoz. He is also responsible for brushing his teeth, giving him air using a breathing apparatus and taking him to the restroom. “I know every crevice of his heart,” Fonseca said. “Over the past two years he’s taught me humility and true faith, you know the type that shines no matter what bad thing happens to you.”

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Lift Off: Muñoz’s routine of getting into bed consists of being fitted with a set of support straps his care giver places on him. He is then raised by a Hoyer lift 5 feet in the air that gently places him down removing strain from his limbs. Muñoz considers the routine activity as a highlight of his day.

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Do Us Part: Though difficult at times, Piedad Muñoz, German’s wife of 38 years, takes care of him by helping with basic necessities he is unable to perform. The 60-year-old Wolfson Campus social sciences chairperson was diagnosed with ALS in 2006 and as a result lost the ability to move his limbs. A typical day for Muñoz consists of returning from work around 4 p.m. and going to bed at eight. To get into bed he uses a hoyer lift sling that is controlled by his caregiver. The machine lifts Muñoz about five feet in the air before placing him on his bed. In Dec. 2010 Muñoz purchased an electric wheelchair. It is his third chair, the previous ones have been manual. “Being in a wheelchair is a piece of cake,” he said. “It's bothering people I can’t stand.” Despite the circumstances, Muñoz rejoices. “Every time my grandson comes over he just loves to press the button,” Muñoz said.“ I can’t be thinking about my arms and legs, my grandson is laughing with me.” Before his diagnosis, Muñoz, a 1968 graduate of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, enjoyed playing basketball every Tuesday at his alma mater. He also volunteered at several places, coaching football and baseball. “What I miss most is being active in the office. I used to challenge my students with who can do more push-ups,” Muñoz said. “I always did about 45 non-stop. It was my way of encouraging my

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

students to stay in shape.” Muñoz was born in Santiago de Cuba. He arrived in the United States in 1962, just one year after the Bay of Pigs invasion. “Because we had nothing and my mom couldn’t afford me, she gave me to an orphanage, I was eleven,” Muñoz said. “So to stay away from the delinquents, I would play sports. Lots of them.” Muñoz is scheduled to retire from MDC on Aug. 31. “Going to work is what keeps me alive,”Muñoz said. “For some it's poison, for me it's a joy.” Piedad fears Muñoz’s absence from the workplace will send him spiraling into depression. However, Muñoz says he has plans. “I want to go to church daily,” Muñoz said. “I want to go to hospitals, and if I still have a voice, visit people and make them feel better.” But Muñoz also knows that things can get worse. He is afraid of losing his voice, so he is working on a list of things he needs, so his wife can help him if he loses his ability to verbally communicate. “Whatever is gone, is gone,” Muñoz said. “Whatever is gonna happen, hasn’t happened yet.”

SPORTS

April 25, 2011

THE REPORTER

SCOREBOARD (*) HOME GAME (†) CONFERENCE GAME

MEN’S BASEBALL

—————————————————————————— †04/08—VS BREVARD COLLEGE AT MELBOURNE, FLA. 3-1 WON —————————————————————————— *†04/09—VS BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,14-4 WON —————————————————————————— 04/12—VS ST.THOMAS JV, 21-8 WON —————————————————————————— 04/13—VS NORTHWOOD AT PALM BEACH, FLA..11-0 WON —————————————————————————— *†04/15VVS PALM BEACH,4-5 LOST —————————————————————————— †04/16—VS PALM BEACH AT PALM BEACH, FLA..7-4 WON —————————————————————————— *†04/19—VS BROWARD COLLEGE, INCOMPLETE —————————————————————————— *† 04/20—VS BROWARD COLLEGE AT DAVIE, FLA.,INCOMPLETE AS OF 04/20 OVERALL RECORD (30-15) SOUTHERN CONFERENCE (12-10)

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

—————————————————————————— *†04/09- VS INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE DOUBLE HEADER GAME 1 : 4-1 LOST , GAME 2: 6-4 LOST —————————————————————————— *†04/13- VS BROWARD COLLEGE AT PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. DOUBLE HEADER GAME 1 : 13-3 WON, GAME 2: NO CONTEST —————————————————————————— *04/17-VS ST.PETERSBURG STATE COLLEGE DOUBLE HEADER GAME 1: 5-3 LOST, GAME 2: 2-0 WON

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Hot Hand: Sharks pitcher Mike Gonzalez throws against a batter from St. Thomas JV during the 3rd quarter. The sharks would go on to win 21-8 in one of the team’s final games at the Kendall Campus on April 12.

AS OF 04/20 OVERALL RECORD (26-19) SOUTHERN CONFERENCE (16-6)

SCHEDULE MEN’S BASEBALL

—————————————————————————— 04/23-04/24—CONFERENCE TOURNEY IF NECESSARY —————————————————————————— 05/07-05/11—2011 FCSAA BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT JOKER MARCHANT STADUIM IN LAKELAND, FLA., IF NECESSARY

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

—————————————————————————— 04/23-STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA DOUBLE HEADER AT BRADENTON, FLA. —————————————————————————— 04/29-05/01 FCSAA ATLANTIC TOURNAMENT AT PENSACOLA, FLA. VS SEMINOLE STATE WINNER FACES GULF DISTRICT CHAMPION TO ADVANCE TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Going Further: The Lady Sharks celebrate during the 2nd inning of the Lady Sharks 4-1 home win against Palm Beach State College on March 9 at Kendall Campus. The team will go on into to play in the post season, and take on State College of Florida on April 23 in Bradenton, Fla.

WGU Partners with Miami Dade College

MDC graduates who transfer to WGU will receive: • • •

Application Fee Waiver (a $65 savings) 5%Tuition Discount A chance to apply for a $2,000 scholarship

Four Reasons Why WGU is a Great Fit for You: • • • •

WGU is online and flexible WGU measures learning, not class time WGU is affordable and non-profit WGU offers generous transfer privileges

Bachelor’s Degrees offered in Business, Education, Information Technology, and Health Professions (including Nursing)

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Of He Goes: Sharks third baseman Jorge Saez runs to first base after hitting a single in the 3rd inning of the Sharks 21-8 blowout win over St. Thomas JV on April 12.

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Miami Dade 3x8.indd 1

2/15/11 11:26 AM

THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

T (305) 237-1254

Postseason Around The Corner For Lady Sharks

B hector.gonzalez012@mymdc.net

Miami Dade College softball team regular season is winding down with post season play up next. By Hector Gonzalez hector.gonzalez012@mymdc.net

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

Breaking Tackles: MDC Student William Bell Sr. has overcome many obstacles in his life. He is now the proud owner of a semi-pro football team—The South Florida Broncos. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Growing Up In A Hard Knock Life William Bell Sr., a Miami Dade College student, was raised in Carol City and has overcome hardships to become the owner of a professional semipro football team. By Hector Gonzalez hector.gonzalez012@mymdc.net A family friend was murdered, and his basketball scholarship was revoked, but the worst was yet to come for William Bell Sr. That is part of Bell’s story, a nursing student who enrolled at Miami Dade College this spring semester. He has gone from being an athlete to a student and now the owner of a semi-pro football team. Through the pains, trials and hardships he has endured in his

life, Bell has managed to stay involved in athletics. Playing football for a semi-pro league team, the Broward County Raiders in 2006, in the Arena Football League briefly with the Miami Vice Squad the same year, and another semi-pro team, The Fort Lauderdale Lions in 2007. Bell’s previous experience opened doors for him to purchase his own team, the South Florida Broncos. The team ended the season with a 17-0 record, earning the 2010 South East Football League Championship. Bell was named the 2010 owner of the year. But not everything was positive. Bell injured his knee, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, requiring knee surgery.

SOFTBALL

// SPORTS Hector Gonzalez, Sports Editor //

SPORTS

“I am recovering now and I plan to go back to play next year,” Bell said. “It’s more to come after all the adversity. I am here at MDC and happy.” Bell was raised in what he described as the violent projects of “The MatchBox” in Carol City, now known as Honey Hills. He recalled one incident when he was seven-years-old, when a friend of the family nicknamed “Jowles” was murdered, shot to death inside his apartment in the shower after a fight. “He was like a big brother to me, there was a lot of killings, drugs and shootings,” Bell said. “The nights were crazy, chaotic, gunshots and screaming.” To stay out of trouble, Bell played sports.

The Lady Sharks softball team is preparing to close the 2011 season, hoping to earn a trip back to the national tournament. Having already qualified for the Florida College System Activity Association Atlantic District Tournament, the defending champions 25-18, 16-6 in Southern Conference is trying to remain positive and healthy for the post season. “Definitely many teams know our tradition of playing well in tournaments, that’s why we play the regular season to get ready for state’s,” MDC head softball coach Carlos Caro said. “ It’s our ticket back to nationals.” Their tradition of winning the Southern Conference crown ended this year, losing out to Indian River State College. Assistant Coach Simone Suetsugu said injuries took its toll on the young team. “Of course its different this year than last year, we had more experience, the injuries stopped us from winning the conference,” Suetsugu said.

Lady Shark Sophomore On Track After Earning Honors Miami Dade College Lady Shark softball first baseman Kristen Exposito was named Florida College System Activity Association player of the week on April 5. Exposito, a sophomore at MDC, batted .429 with two home runs and 33 RBIs. She has also been named to the All-FCSAA first team. EXPOSITO “I always do my best to play my game,” Exposito said. Her attitude and turnaround on the field has impressed her softball coach Carlos Caro who couldn’t be more proud of her. “It’s her hard work, she contin-

Freshmen shortstop Kiara Nazario sprained her ankle after sliding toward home plate in game two versus Indian River during the fifth inning. She missed the remainder of the game. The loss helped clinch the Southern Conference title for their arch-rival the Lady Pioneers. “Our team seemed to play that day like it was just another game, we were very tired,” Nazario said. “I consider myself being one of the key players on the team so it was difficult to watch us lose from the bench.” Many of the players feel opponents are targeting them. “Everyone in the state is going to want to kill us, we have to be confident and even cocky,” said MDC sophomore outfielder Stephanie Buendia. After starting the season barely at .500 the Lady Sharks have flourished at the right time. Freshmen Rachel Meagley has a 2.23 ERA, and a 12 -10 record to be accompanied and 120 strikeouts; Aline Uehara has a 3.50 ERA, and a 5-3 record with 38 strikeouts. “We are going to have to produce a lot of offense because we don’t have enough pitching just four pitchers,” team captain Veronika Fukunishi said. “Our attitude has to be that we are the best, and stay focus.” ues to believe that she can get it accomplished,” Caro said. Her teammates admire the transformation Exposito made in being named player of the week. They are excited she is finally taking her role as a leader on the field. “She has been turning it around and doing everything to get better,” freshman pitcher Rachel Meagley said. Exposito’s dedication and perseverance has brought attention to her recruiting wise. Nova Southeastern University is in pursuit of her services. Exposito wants to keep improving her skills as a student and softball player. “I’m not sure what the future holds for me, hopefully it includes signing to another school,” Exposito said. —Saeli Gutierrez

MENS BASKETBALL

Key Players Won’t Be On Team Next Season Three players from the men’s basketball team are leaving the College after their former head coach resigned amid controversy. By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net Seven weeks after former Head Basketball Coach Matthew Eisele resigned, the three freshman that ended the season on the active roster have decided to move on to other schools. “We all came to play for Eisele,” said Xavier Munford, a guard for the MDC basketball team during the 2010-2011 season. “He’s the

one that recruited us, but he’s not here anymore.” Munford said he will play at Iowa Western Community College next year. He said he was officially granted his release from MDC on April 19. “I don’t feel comfortable here so I’ve decided to go a different direction,” Munford said. “I think It will be better for me.” In addition to Munford, forward Kendal Jennings, and point guard Darwin Ellis have also requested their release from MDC. Ellis is still awaiting official documentation. Jennings, who is also still awaiting his release, went back home to

Alabama on April 21. He is undecided as to where he will play next season. “Miami Dade is not the place for me right now; they just don’t have a permanent coach,” said Jennings. “ I’m seeking a different experience and more exposure. Part of it is because coach left, but part of it is not. I have nothing against the College, but they just have no leader, no direction. They need to get with the program, so I am weighing out my options.” Ryan Steed, who redshirted last season, and was not on the team’s active roster, has not decided if he will remain with the team. “It's fifty-fifty. I will be making

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my final decision after final exams so that I can focus. My options are in Florida, Georgia and Iowa,” Steed said. “I like [interim] coach [Manny] Mendez, so if I stay it will be because him.” The players said they met with Director of Athletics Anthony Fiorenza four weeks ago concerning the possibility of them leaving. “Every student athlete has the option to pursue what they understand to be the best for them,” said Interim Head Basketball Coach Manny Mendez. “We are currently recruiting and will have high caliber players.” Mendez said he is recruiting mostly in Miami-Dade County for

next year’s team. He has eight to nine players that will potentially be part of next year’s squad. “We will focus locally and fill in the spaces,” Mendez said. “I wish everyone well in their next chapter.” MUNFORD

THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

PHOTOSTORY

FIRE ACADEMY

Up In Flames The Miami Dade College Fire Academy at North Campus has been educating and training students since 1982. Students at the Academy learn firefighting skills inside and outside the classroom. Eighty percent of Miami-Dade county’s employed firefighters were trained at the MDC Fire Academy. The Reporter joined students as they practiced firefighting skills in live-fire excersises.

Breaking Down The Process Fire Academy students go through different steps during live-fire scenarios, beginning with a preliminary exam and eventually putting out fires in the interior of a practice Burn Building. Here’s a breakdown of the process: 1

First, they learn the theory of fire behavior using their textbooks. After passing an exam with an 80 percent or better, students move on to practice with live-fire scenarios.

Using a fire extinguisher training tool, students first apply theories and practical applications of fire behavior and how to extinguish a fire during live-fire drills.

Next they move to the exterior flange fire. Students are responsible to extinguish a propane fire, controlled by instructors. The objective of this project is to learn how to shut the fuel source out and eventually extinguish the fire.

Students must contain and extinguish a propane fire on the vehicle prop in three areas: engine compartment, passenger compartment and trunk. This fire is also controlled by the instructors.

Flame On: Since 1982, the Miami Dade College Fire Academy has been educating students hoping to become fi County have passed through the program.

Students then go to the second floor of the Burn Building. On this floor, students experience what it’s like to wear full protective gear in a room where temperatures reach up to 500-degrees Fahrenheit. They observe real interior fire behavior. Instructors extinguish the fire with a hose, while students observe steam expansion.

Finally, on the first floor of the Burn Building, students are able to exercise fire-extinguishing techniques using three large propane fire props: kitchen cabinet, a couch and a stove. The objective of this project is for students to learn coordination on an interior attack, hose management and awareness during interior firefighting operations.

Keeping It Cool Participants in the training exercises are equipped with a myriad of safety equipment. Here’s a brief breakdown of the equipment, and its cost. Helmet—$250

Hood—$35

Bunker Coat—$750 Radio—$950 Flashlight—$125

SCBA—$3,500 Bunker Pants—$750 SCBA Mask—$250

Gloves—$65

Boots—$150

Total— $6,825

Interactive Graphic

The Block Is Hot: The students’ first main test against a live-fire is a gas-pipe prop where the students had to sup flames in order to reach a shutoff valve to then extinguish the fire.

Visit us online to see an interactive graphic on the fire academy equipment.

SOURCE: MIKE McCANN, PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE SCHOOL OF FIRE & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AT NORTH CAMPUS RESEARCH: ALEXANDRA DE ARMAS—GRAPHICS: LAZARO GAMIO—ALL PHOTOS: MARK PULASKI

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THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

PHOTOSTORY

Lean On Me: The ratio of students to instructors is six to one. This ensures the personal supervision required to train the students in a safe manner.

Hot Under The Hood: Students had to fight the flames in simulated scenarios of various car fires.

firefighters. An estimated 80 percent of current employed firefighters in Miami-Dade

Quenching The Fire: A wide spray pattern is used in order to suppress gas-fueled fires.

ppress

First-Hand Experience

Visit us online to see video of live-fire exercises at Miami Dade Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fire Academy.

Hose Management: Instructors are always nearby to assure the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; safety.

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THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

A&E

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Grammy Winner Got His Beginnings At MDC //

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MDC alumnus Oscar Moncada recently earned a Grammy for his work on reggae artist Buju Banton’s album Before The Dawn. By Mark Pulaksi mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net

Get In The Game: We review a pair of highly-anticipated video games, Mortal Kombat and Portal 2, both released on April 19.

PORTAL 2: VIDEO GAME REVIEW

MORTAL KOMBAT: VIDEO GAME REVIEW

Puzzles, Platforms And Portals The Fast & The Fatal The follow-up to 2007’s Portal incorporates familiar game-play with exciting new features.

The new Mortal Kombat uses 3-dimensional graphics on a 2-dimensional fighting plane.

By Gregory Castillo gregory.castillo001@mymdc.net

By J.C. Urbina juancarlos.urbina001@mymdc.net

When you hear the all too familiar voice of a psychotic, sarcastic super computer villain: “Hello, it’s been a long time,” you know Portal 2 has finally arrived. The follow-up to 2007’s critically-acclaimed first-person platforming-puzzler Portal, the highly anticipated Portal 2 replicates and significantly improves on the original experience. You play as Chell, the mysterious female protagonist, woken up suddenly by a quirky, silly robot named Wheatly during a test conducted by Aperture Laboratories. Players are soon reacquainted with GLaDOS, the antagonist from the first game, before all hell breaks loose. The game play is familiar, following the simple principles that made the original Portal a massive success. Players solve complicated puzzles with the aide of the portal gun, a device that allows you create threedimensional entrance and exit warp holes to travel around the map; solving challenging, platforming and physics based levels. The fan favorite companion cube is back, and so is the humor and writing that made the story of the original fun and engaging. Brand new elements help you go faster, farther and get you where you need to be; solving both new and classic tasks. A big addition to Portal 2 is the inclusion of a co-op game play mode. It allows a second player to join in the fun and take on more massive levels and puzzles only solvable with teamwork. The mode is completely separate from the solo-campaign, while enjoying the same trademark fast, witty dialogue of the series with a friend. Graphics are improved from the original, which certainly helps add to the clean and crisp presentation of a catastrophic in-game world. Like the original, the single player campaign isn’t that long, topping at about eight to nine hours maximum for most. That, along with paying for down-loadable content, seem to the be only downfalls of Portal 2. All in all, Portal 2 delivers on what was expected, offering more of what we wanted and delivering an experience that most definitely takes the cake (pun intended).

Mortal Kombat was one of the most critical elements of 1990s pop culture and the video game franchise continues to recruit a fan base around the digital world. Unveiled to the world in 1992, Mortal Kombat was the first video game to digitize live actors as its characters instead of two-dimensional, pixilated cartoon characters. Throughout the years, the successful and critically-acclaimed fighting franchise has spawned 13 video games, three films, and two television series’, and a short-lived web series. Now Mortal Kombat has gotten its latest update with what many video game critics call, “one of the most anticipated games of 2011”. Mortal Kombat (2011), despite popular misconceptions, is neither a remake of the original nor a reboot of the franchise. Difficult to describe, it has the look and feel of a sequel, but the clever storytelling encompasses the events of the first four major games (Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon) into a time-warped setting of nostalgic Mortal Kombat moments. The game includes 35 characters, which significantly diminishes the chance of fans being disappointed because their favorite characters aren’t included. The story structure is top-notch in the latest Mortal Kombat installment. Advanced graphics make the characters and carnage much more real than anything ever seen in past Mortal Kombat games. At times, the game can get frustrating with difficult boss battles and not being able to skip or pause cut scenes. But Mortal Kombat (2011) is a superb presentation of massacre and fatalities. Players will not be able to put down their controllers and stomachs will either be toughened or annihilated by the bloody, high-definition slaughtering. Buy the game.

5 out of 5

Portal 2—Valve Corporation—Rated M

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

A&E

Mark Pulaski, A&E Editor //

4 out of 5

Mortal Kombat—NetherRealm Studios—Rated M

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Oscar Moncada fell in love with music after he started playing the guitar when he was 13 years old. Moncada, a native of Colombia, sharpened his skills in the music industry at Miami Dade College. In 2005, he earned an associate in science degree from MDC in music business. Moncada, a music producer, received a Grammy earlier this year for his work on reggae-star Buju Banton’s album Before The Dawn. “Oscar took our information to heart and made something really good happen for himself,” said Richard Rose, one of Moncada’s former professors at MDC. Rose, who works in the commercial music department, remembers Moncada as a hard worker who had more patience than most students. Even when computers crashed, and files were lost, Moncada never lost his composure. “I think he liked the challenge,” Rose said. Moncada said MDC gave him access to high-quality music equipment, and the opportunity to network with industry professionals. “MDC helped me a whole lot because of the real-world scenarios it taught me,” Moncada said. “ The

professors were really keen on implementing the reality of the business, along with the theory.” Before becoming involved as a producer, Moncada had aspirations of being in the spotlight. “I started out with dreams of having my band and playing, but then it became more of a hassle than enjoying the whole artist thing,” he said. Being a producer, Moncada said, affords him the ability to work on various projects in multiple genres. But it is not easy. Besides deciding the musical composition, Moncada is also responsible for booking studio time, hiring backup musicians, and compiling the budget. “You’re not automatically a producer if you do a couple of beats and your mom thinks they’re great,” Moncada said. He has worked as a producer and sound engineer for several vocal bands and even has some song writing credits to his name. “Making a living in the music biz at this level, you have to take every project that comes your way,” Moncada said. Moncada has made sure to capitalize on his opportunities. He met Buju Banton while walking his dog. The two hit it off, and Moncada invited him into his home studio to work on a couple of tracks. The rest is history. “His success validates the quality of education and depth of experience you can get at the College,” Rose said.

COURTESY OF JUAN MANUEL GARCIA LLOREDA

Audiophile: Music producer Oscar Moncada, an MDC graduate, earned a Grammy for his contributions to Buju Banton’s Before The Dawn–2011’s Best Reggae Album.

A&E

April 25, 2011

THE REPORTER

YOUR HIGHNESS: MOVIE REVIEW

Fantasy Comedy Can’t Rescue Laughter A cast featuring Oscar winner Natalie Portman and Oscar nominee James Franco, cant rescue a poor script full of sexual innuendos, profane humor, and stale jokes. By Carolina del Busto carolina.delbusto001@mymdc.net

The Reporter is accepting applications for Editor-in-Chief for its Summer 2011 to Spring 2012 publication cycle. To apply, contact Manolo Barco, media adviser: (305) 237-1255 mbarco@mdc.edu

☎ B

Deadline for all Applications is May 20, 2011. No late applications will be considered.

“Prepare thyself for a twisted tale,” are the first words that are heard. That is certainly an understatement for Your Highness. Instead, it should say, “prepare thyself for an awkward, random, uncalled for, sex-driven, twisted tale.” The tale takes place in a land far, far away, where kings rule, knights fight dragons and evil wizards and mechanical pet birds roam. Fabious (James Franco) is the strong handsome prince who is next in line to the throne. Thadeous (Danny McBride) is his less-attractive, lethargic brother who does nothing but smoke and think about sex—until one day that all changes. The evil wizard Leezar captures Fabious’ virgin bride-to-be and plans on having his way with her when the two moons collide. It seems only fitting that Fabious and Thadeous embark on a quest to save the future queen. On their journey, they come across a wise wizard who requires kisses in exchange for his smokey knowledge, get captured by a tribe of topless females, de-

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Crazy Crusaders: Your Highness follows a group of profanity-spewing, sexdriven characters who embark on a journey across a mythical land. feat a minotaur—taking his penis as a trophy—before finally saving the virgin girl from an unwelcome penetration. McBride must have written the script when he was really horny and bored. His character, Thadeous, acts like a little child and is borderline annoying. The jokes felt very forced and were not funny. Profanity was thrown around everywhere in order to compensate for the lack of quality jokes, because apparently bad words can make up for bad jokes. The film centers on drugs and sex. But unlike other comedies that deal with the same subjects, this one was just not funny. It was disappointing—to say the least—that Oscar winner Natalie Portman and Oscar

nominee James Franco would make such a movie. Audiences should be able to trust that Academy Award winners and nominees would choose good scripts, therefore making good—or at least funny—movies. Overall, the movie seemed more like a long parody you would find on YouTube or see on Saturday Night Live, not something you should go see in the theatres. We all make mistakes, and Your Highness was just that.

2 out of 5

Your Highness—James Franco, Natalie Portman, Danny McBride—1 hour 42 minutes—Rated R

ARTHUR: MOVIE REVIEW

Remake Of A Classic Hits The Spot Arthur is a story about a man who needs to grow up, take control of his life, and find himself. By Carolina del Busto carolina.delbusto001@mymdc.net We’ve all heard the story of a spoiled little rich kid who falls in love with a peasant girl and is willing to give up everything to be with her. The story is meant to teach a lesson: money is not everything. That is the message behind the movie Arthur, a remake of the 1981 comedy that starred Dudley Moore. Arthur Bach has never worked a day in his life, primarily because he was born into an incredibly wealthy family and even at 30, he has a nanny to take care of things for him. He spends his days drinking and spending money. Arthur is surrounded by all the luxuries money can buy, but he is missing one thing—true love. When his mother arranges a business transaction that will result in him marrying a girl he doesn’t really love, that is the wake up call he needs. Arthur meets a girl from Queens who has dreams of becoming a children’s book author. Naomi, played by newcomer Greta Gerwig, shows Arthur the simple pleasures of life. Soon, Arthur falls for Naomi and doesn’t go through

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Rich Boy: Comedian Russell Brand puts a new spin on a typically overdone role in the comedy remake Arthur. with his scheduled wedding. He risks losing it all. Russell Brand, who portrays Arthur, is surprisingly funny. Normally the drunk, spoiled, unloved rich kid act is overdone, but Brand puts a new spin on it. He added some heart to the mixture. The always graceful Helen Mirren plays Hobson, Arthur’s nanny. It was unusual to see this leading lady in a supporting role. However, the part must have been written for her. Mirren was elegantly comical. Hobson is more than Arthur’s nanny, she represents the mother figure that was absent during his childhood. The relationship be-

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tween Hobson and Arthur is both humorous and touching. Brand and Mirren make a stupendous comedy team. The conversation flows naturally. Arthur takes a cliché and made it slightly more original. You’ll walk out of the theatre with a few good laughs, and your spirits will be instantly lifted. Happy endings always do the trick.

3.5 out of 5

Arthur— Russel Brand, Helen Mirren, Gregita Gerwig—1 hour 50 minutes— Rated PG-13

THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

A&E

ALEXIS NOGUES / THE REPORTER

Read All About It: Kendall Campus’ production of The Front Page was a lackluster presentation overall, with only a few exceptional performances. THE FRONT PAGE: PLAY REVIEW

Production Fails To Make The Front Page Kendall Campus’ production of The Front Page was a lackluster presentation overall, with only a few exceptional performances worth noting. By Jessica Medina jessica.medina006@mymdc.net Set in the crime-riddled streets of 1920s Chicago, The Front Page is a wit-filled comedy that disguises the social issues of its era. The play takes place in the confines of the fictional newspaper, The Examiner’s pressroom overlooking the gallows behind the Cook County Jail. A crew of lax reporters awaits a breaking story, as Earl Williams—a Caucasian communist accused of murdering a black policeman—awaits his own

hanging. With a slew of colloquial slang the plot thickens. It becomes evident the cunning mayor and the sly sheriff are surreptitiously engaged in a plot to frame Williams in order to gain African-American votes for the upcoming election. Front-runner journalist, Hildy Johnson, and his unscrupulous boss, Walter Burns, accidentally capture the defamed Williams. As fantastic as this plot may sound, its execution was not as stellar. As a whole, the cast had a mediocre production, but there were some noteworthy performances. Dominating the stage was Ian Vargas as Sheriff Pete B. Hartman. Vargas harmoniously incorporated all necessary ingredients (tone,

accent, body language, stage presence, etc.) Richard Pizarro, as ruthless newspaper tycoon Burns, was exceptionally believable. Although his accent was not up to par with Vargas’, it was superb compared to the rest of the cast. Brittney Rivera as Mollie Malloy, a passionate and righteous streetwalker, plays a paradox of a character with elegant zeal. Rivera was the best actress in the play, giving a performance only paralleled by that of Vargas. Jaromir Garcia as the hysterical staff reporter McCue and his repeated victim, the obsessivecompulsive Bensinger, played by Manny Madriz were also exceptional. While they were only secondary characters, this fantastic

duo had the audience howling with laughter. It was quite the shame Nelson Delgado, as Earl Williams, did not grace the stage for longer than his character permitted. In contrast to Delgado’s performance was Yonettsy Santos as Mrs.Grant, mother of Hildy Johnsons’ love interest. Faintly overacted and somewhat exaggerated gestures seemed forced and unnatural to the character. Angel Dominguez—a pleasure to watch in the last production, Dog Sees God—fell short as Hildy Johnson, a charismatic and enticing character. With obvious potential and exuberant stage presence, Dominguez was overshadowed by lesser characters simply for

his recurring mumbles and frequent tongue-ties. The character demanded vivacious confidence, something Dominguez has the potential to produce, but regrettably his efforts were surpassed by his blunders. After this debatable success, one can only hope Kendall’s next production will eclipse the precedence of expectations The Front Page has set.

2 out of 5

The Front Page—Ian Vargas, Richard Pizzaro, Brittney Rivera, Jaromir Garcia, Nelson Delgado, Angel Dominguez

ROLLING PAPERS: ALBUM REVIEW

Khalifa’s Rolling Papers Goes Up In Smoke Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa’s new album Rolling Papers fails to deliver a musical buzz with sub-par lyrics and an inconsistent flow. By Akeem Brunson akeem.brunson001@mymdc.net

COURTESY OF ATLANTIC RECORDS

Keep One Rolled: Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers features the hit singles “Black & Yellow” and “Roll Up.”

Wiz Khalifa’s new album Rolling Papers is as incoherent as a crack head ordering a meal at McDonald’s. Released on March 31, the album fails to keep the consistency of past albums and mix tapes that gained the Pittsburgh rapper his fan base. Khalifa is known for tracks that take listeners on a psychedelic trip throughout the albums and mix tapes. The album itself fails to impress. It doesn’t connect and take listeners on a journey. It has an inconsistent flow that will send you on a

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bad trip throughout the album. Although the album has some good tracks that you might want to add to your present shuffle list, as a whole the album is incomplete. Songs like “When I’m Gone” set a nice stage at the beginning of the album. When listening to it for the first time it gives you the impression that Khalifa is going to show you a different side of himself on the album. “I’ma take all this money I own and blow it all away because I can’t take it when I’m gone,” Khalifa repeats in the hook. Another song you might just want to download is “No Sleep,” a track that has a SoCal beat reminiscent of Blink 182. Songs like these two remind listeners what made Khalifa a relevant artist, but this album needs more time in the lab.

The arrangement of tracks on the album leaves you confused wishing you were high enough to have this musical journey make sense. Khalifa is not an artist known for metaphorical lyrics, yet he adds insult to the injury for listeners in the track “On My Level” with featured West Coast rapper Too $hort, an artist who sounds like Frodo from Lord of The Rings. For loyal fans, Rolling Papers won’t sound good—at least until you roll one up.

2 out of 5

Rolling Papers—Wiz Khalifa— Atlantic Records—14 tracks—57 minutes 47 seconds

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THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

FORUM

// FORUM Mark Pulaski, Interim Forum Editor //

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B mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net

Showdown A Liberal Look At Life A left-leaning student’s take on the current state of the union.

By Rachel Rosenberg rachel.rosenberg001@mymdc.net Log cabins and tea parties, am I living with Abraham Lincoln? The last time I checked, it was 2011 and Mr. Honest wasn’t returning anymore pennies. He was a great man who did great things, but he was still a Republican. By today’s standards, he was most definitely not a typical conservative Republican, but he was still Republican in nature. Mind you, in Lincoln’s time, things like abortion and stem cell research weren’t really issues, but today’s conservatives certainly have their views. Today’s conservatives can be described as pro-life preaching, oil-drilling, rifle-toting, budget-cutting, do-it-yourselfers. Gas, it’s what’s breaking the bank. Oil prices are skyrocketing and conservatives just want to drill, drill, and drill some more. They think that Earth’s supply of oil is everlasting that it fills up like the toilet after it’s been flushed. They obviously skipped the science class that explained that fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. America isn’t sitting on a giant pool of oil. Jed Clampett isn’t going to keep coming along and striking it rich. Eventually, the oil will run out and conservatives will have to admit that solar panels and wind turbines are not myths like Bigfoot and the Boogie Man. Speaking of myths, conservatives

should really take a look at the polar ice caps before they say there’s no such thing as global warming. I really don’t think that the polar bears and penguins are drowning themselves. While earth does go through cycles of climate change, the carbon levels in the atmosphere are pointing toward a major temperature increase—but they must have not gone to that class either. Now on to health care. All I hear from conservatives is “Obamacare is socialist,” and “everyone has access to health care, it’s their problem if they can’t afford it.” While I understand how Obama’s health-care plan can be seen as socialist, it makes sense because not everyone is able to afford privatized health care. My family would be without health care were it not for my father’s job providing it. I’d apologize for not being “fiscally conservative” and able to afford private health care, but I’m broke, so I won’t. While we’re still talking about money, budget cuts are a frequent topic in the news. Conservatives think that cutting funds from education is the answer to everything, when they should really be cutting their own salaries. Cutting education is only going to make people uneducated—maybe that’s what the conservatives want. If that happens, the masses will be uneducated enough to vote for the conservatives instead of trying to follow their own logic. There is one final point that needs to be brought up—gay marriage. Every biblereading conservative would have you believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and would tell you that “gay marriage is a disease and an abomination; it should not be tolerated!” Well according to the Bible, greed is an abomination, but nobody is outlawing being rich or being paid a large salary for working for the government. Live and let live. If it doesn’t affect you, let it be. So to all of the conservatives out there, take a chill pill, and please, for goodness’ sake, loosen the stick from between your second set of cheeks.

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Ramblings From The Right Conservative columnist argues for true change in the country.

By Rafael Tur rafael.tur001@mymdc.net When it comes to politics, I wish I had taken the blue pill. Two years ago we elected a guy named Barack Hussein Obama to save the world. What was the problem? The world was going broke and the idealist Obama thought it was a good time to start investing in “green/shovel-ready” jobs that were apparently outsourced before American ever got a chance. We are still dependent on gas, and while liberals complain that losing forests causes an increase in carbon dioxide, they skipped the class in high school biology where the teacher explained micro-algae is the largest consumer of carbon dioxide in the world. Obama keeps repeating the need to invest in alternative ways of energy. But who’s the real conservationist? The talking head who asks financially-castrated Americans to invest, or the woman down the street in the local flower shop who saves dying orchids? What the hell is wrong with oil anyway? There is plenty of oil right here in America to go around—get on the Internet and research it. In the Northern Rockies there has been oil in large sediments since before the dinosaurs became extinct. So I say “drill baby, drill,” just like Sarah Palin. On health insurance, almost 1,200

LAZARO GAMIO / THE REPORTER

organizations have been given waivers by the White House exempting them for Obamacare. This seems uninteresting until you read the list of the exempted, entire towns and even states like Massachusetts and wow, even McDonald’s. Are you serious? McDonald’s can’t afford the new allegedly super-cool and super-cheap health care that Obama promised would grow more popular with the American people? When it comes to spending, Obama’s administration spent more in October 2010 than the government spent in all of 2008. Maybe it’s the inflation. It certainly couldn’t be a fiscal increase in government spending, could it? Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R), set off a mini Egypt when he decided to pass a bill to roll back teacher’s salaries onto their pension. Teachers are as important as soldiers on the battlefield, but the Donkey Kong salaries averaging $90,000 are unsustainable with the option of collective bargaining. So, what’s the score Obama? What have you been doing for the last two years besides celebrating your monster health care bill? Will you ever pay for gas again in your life? What should we do about the Burmese python problem in the Everglades? That’s no way to live, President Obama. Us Americans stormed the beaches of France to protect the individualistic freedoms of our friends in Europe from a very crazy little man. Now, we play it safe. 9/11 should have triggered another mass invasion of gigantic military proportions against a set enemy, as opposed to the faceless Vietnam-like war that did start which still goes on today. Donald “Mr. Universe” Trump is still considering running for President in 2012. Sure, he’s the guy that fires people, fires more people, and says the word “crap” all the time, but you know what I think? If a guy who becomes a billionaire months after filing for bankruptcy runs for president, then the guy must know something about economics, don’t you think?

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THE REPORTER

April 25, 2011

FORUM

THE REPORTER | EDITORIAL

Smoking Ban Policy Is Hazy

Miami Dade College has officially enacted a ban that will prohibit smoking on all college owned property, but the policy lacks information on repercussions or solutions. EFFECTIVE APRIL 19, Miami Dade College’s Board of Trustees approved an amendment to Policy II-7 that enacts a campus-wide smoking ban. According to an April 20 email sent by College President Eduardo J. Padrón, smoking will be prohibited in “all buildings and portions of buildings owned or leased by the College.”The email goes onto to say that the resolution will “promote and foster a healthier and cleaner campus environment for our students, staff, faculty and visitors.” This College policy amendment extends the smoking ban to outdoor areas including atria, entrance and exit ways, enclosed hallways within buildings, parking lots, grounds,

QUICKFIRE

The Bieber Fever Spreads I DONT LISTEN to the radio and I don’t watch MTV. So, from the beginning, when all my friends were either quoting or hating the Justin Bieber phenomenon; I asked myself, “who?” This is to say that I’m extravagantly ignorant of pop culture. But not that JB is not well known— which he absolutely is. (He’s got the most viewed YouTube video of all time. Lady Gaga is silently turning green.) My problem, now that I do know about this ridiculously famous 17-year-old, is that I don’t hate him the way everyone else does. If I was friends with a high school junior who could dance like that kid, I’d go clubbing with him. If I met a boy who had the voice of an angel like his, I’d ask him to record my voicemail. If I was looking for a boyfriend—well, I won’t get into that. America’s not ready for that reality. I will say this: Usher would marry us. Stop wasting your hate on Justin Bieber, America, you’ve got your hands full with Rebecca Black and her daycare sing-along song about the days of the week. —Andrea Orellana

MANUEL PALOU / THE REPORTER

rooftops, plazas, courtyards and any other areas of the college campus. Overall, it is a lukewarm attempt with no real solutions. In fact, it brings about more questions. For example, the policy document does not appear explicit on actual methods of enforcement, mentioning that violators “should be reminded of the policy,” and then asked to discard their tobacco products. But it is not clear on what repercussions students will face if they violate the policy. It is a toothless action that can’t be enforced because the enforcers are not sure what to enforce. Furthermore, the policy seems to be geared toward protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, which is commendable, but goes on to ignore its effect on those who smoke. Smoking does not make someone a second-class citizen or an enemy of the state. The College has made a lackluster effort leading up to this resolution.

There were no college-wide tobaccocessation initiatives in place leading up to this resolution, and there still aren’t. Additionally, Padrón’s April 20 email suggests no alternatives to smokers other than a handful of “resources,” which mainly consist of third-party cessation programs from local, state and federal agencies. The initiative’s webpage—http:// www.mdc.edu/smokefree—mentions no recourse for smokers other than complying with the policy, and then goes on to cite secondhand smoke statistics. A press release on the College’s website about the smoking ban follows the pattern, offering no option but compliance, and then allocating a disproportionate amount of its content to how the College is committed “sustainability practice” and an “exceptional work environment.” It is too easy to assume that this smoking ban is more of an public relations campaign than a legitimate effort to curb smoking. Even the

imagery being used to present the initiative looks more like a Corona Light advertisement than a serious attempt to promote a “healthier environment for learning and working.” So where do we stand? Should smokers fear being handcuffed if they violate policy and refuse to abide by the guidelines set? Will they be ticketed? The truth is that no clear-cut answers exist. The College states clearly in its amended policy: “The responsibility for the enforcement and communication of this policy rests with all members of the college community.” How is this approach different to what may happen without college intervention? Surely if a non-smoker were bothered by a smoker, they would politely ask them not to do so. Until the smoking ban is more defined and makes a real attempt at helping those that struggle with nicotine addiction, it will remain as hazy as a cloud of smoke.

The Basketball Diaries

By Gregory Castillo gregory.castillo001@mymdc.net It’s been an interesting year for Miami Dade College sports. The women’s volleyball team came up short at the national tournament. The women basketball team’s Cinderella run came up short after an early loss at states, and the fate of the softball and baseball teams is still uncertain. But the most head turning event wasn’t determined by record, an on court miracle or a post season run. Matthew Eisele’s departure from the men’s basketball program amid allegations, overshadowed them all. Eisele was the glue that brought together a talented, albeit young group of basketball players. At times playing up to three freshman at a time, his style of coaching and leadership embodied the successful pattern of discipline and tough love seen at top Division I programs. He celebrated success at MDC. During the 2008-2009 year, the Sharks were 26-3. Eisele’s record was 77-37 during four years at the College. Several of Eisele’s players transferred to prominent Division I

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MDC BASKETBALL

A whole year of MDC sports was overshadowed by the controversial departure of men’s basketball coach Matthew Eisele.

The Reporter is the free biweekly student newspaper at Miami Dade College. All content is produced by MDC students. The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or the student body.

schools such as the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kentucky, the University of Memphis, and Kansas State University. But everything is different now. Eisele is gone, having stepped down after claims surfaced that he called a player a “dumb ass” and threatened to have him removed from the premises. That move started the fall of the Miami Dade College men’s basketball program. That program, the program Eisele helped bring to prominence is now left in shambles, forced into rebuilding mode. The core of freshmen from last year’s team, including guard Xavier Munford, who led the team with a 17.2 scoring average, forward Kendal Jennings, guard Darwin Ellis and red-shirt freshman Ryan Steed all bolted after receiving their releases from the school. But who’s to blame? The college puts “students first,” and when it came time to pulling the trigger, the college stuck by their motto. None of the teams nine players have commented in detail about Eisele’s situation. Not Darwin Ellis, who proclaimed himself as the “most likely to conflict” with the coach and not the sophomores who put in extra time enduring the coach’s vigorous and intense practices. Athletics at the college have always seemed to be a side dish. Something we have just to have and to appear more legitimate in the landscape of higher education. But with the ferocity Eisele handled the program, you’d think we’d be playing in the Final Four on any given night. The school never really seemed

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Issue Staff ———————————

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

ready for that. Not that I’m condoning the action’s Eisele is accused of, but it appears strange that simply using profane language or asking a student to clear his locker, not uncommon in college sports, would be enough reason to part ways. Bob Knight, former national championship coach at Indiana, was relieved from his duties as head coach of the Hoosiers in 2000 after an altercation with a student. To some, it would appear something of this nature was a possibility with Eisele, but nothing is concrete, and the lack of transparency from school officials leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Unless there was something else. The Matt Eisele era at Miami Dade College has ended. Now it seems like the only certainty for the program going into the future is uncertainty.

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